Black Sun Empire

Black Sun Empire are René Verdult and brothers Micha and Milan Heyboer, a production trio from Utrecht in the Netherlands. They began making music together in 1993, drawing on several electronic styles before focusing on drum and bass in the mid-1990s.

Their catalogue developed around dark, detailed production associated with neurofunk. Alongside their own recordings, they built Blackout Music NL and its events, giving other producers a platform within that part of the scene. Running the imprint brought their work as artists into contact with music by others.

The 2017 album The Wrong Room connected their music to a particular place: their studio in the former Tivoli club building, where they had previously run nights. The title reflected how their relationship with that space had changed as it became a place for making records.

Their studio method leaves room for individual experimentation. Each member can develop ideas separately, but a finished Black Sun Empire track needs all three to agree. Discussing the album, they described that shared approval as their central rule, including when working with collaborators. Their broad listening habits also bring influences from metal, trance, and hip-hop into the production.